The Santa Barbara Independent

Adams Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Nominated as ‘LifeChanger of the Year’

Education By Emily Vesper

Audra “Nikki” Mitchum earned recognition as a potential winner in National Life Group’s annual award.

Major Storm Forecast for Santa Barbara County, February 15-20, 2026

Announcement By Ready SBC

The National Weather Service is forecasting a significant storm for Santa Barbara County expected to occur February 15-20, 2026. The

Facing ‘Extinction Vortex,’ California Grants New Protections To Some Mountain Lions

Environment By Rachel Becker, CalMatters

State fish and game officials declared mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California threatened under the state’s endangered species act.

Final Festival Act, Full Day of Quality Content

SBIFF By Josef Woodard

SBIFF 2026 closed out on Sunday with Apartheid-themed ‘Laundry’, capping off a full filmic day, including the unique prison doc ‘Alabama Solution’.

Kate Hudson Lights Up the Night at SBIFF Tribute

SBIFF By Leslie Dinaberg

Gwyneth Paltrow presents her longtime friend with the Arlington Artist of the Year Award.

Brill Family Foundation Expands AI Art Endeavors into Collaborative Artist Accelerator

Visual Arts By Alice Dehghanzadeh

What happens when artists stop competing and start working with AI.

Drover’s Doughnuts Opens a New Location in Goleta

Food By Alice Dehghanzadeh

Owner Loren Ollnberger discusses beloved treats and building community.

Our Real America, A Peaceful Presidents’ Day Honoring Volunteer Resilience

Mon, Feb 16 2:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra at SOhO

Mon, Feb 16 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Café KITP: Physics of Intelligence

Tue, Feb 17 5:00 PM

Santa Barbara

The Courage of Birds with Pete Dunne

Tue, Feb 17 7:00 PM

Santa Barbara

CAMA Masterseries: Venice Baroque Orchestra

Tue, Feb 17 7:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Taj Mahal and Patty Griffin

Tue, Feb 17 7:30 PM

Santa Barbara

I.V. Unplugged with Jack Corliss

Wed, Feb 18 6:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Goleta Valley Library Film Club: Marty, 1955

Thu, Feb 19 1:30 PM

Goleta

Pocket Fox: The Farewell Show at SOhO

Thu, Feb 19 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

multimedia Stories

Bill Brown Chides ICE for “Excesses” – But Says Sheriff Must Stay “Neutral” Amid Anti-Immigrant Crusade

In an exclusive interview, Santa Barbara County’s top lawman expresses “empathy” for communities under federal siege, but insists his deputies cannot serve as watchdogs to protect protesters.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 6: The Cliff’s Edge

Audio

Property owners are cutting back parts of houses on Del Playa as the cliff erodes. Meanwhile, Santa Barbara County’s rental inspection program is underway. And folks talk about what could make I.V. a better place to live.

Outstanding Directors, Outstanding Conversationalists

Photo

Ryan Coogler, Josh Safdie, Joachim Trier, and Chloé Zhao each bring specific sparks to the Arlington Stage for SBIFF director of the year awards.

It’s One Love Fest After Another with DiCaprio, Penn, and Del Toro

Photo

SBIFF Cinema Vanguard Award pays tribute to powerhouse ‘One Battle After Another’ trio.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 5: The Quieter Corner

Audio

How has I.V. changed from the eyes of long-timers? What mass eviction event forced families out of town? And what’s with that dome house?

Solvang Stands with Minnesota

Photo

Vignettes from a peaceful rally in front of the Veterans Hall on Sunday, February 1.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’: Joyce DiDonato and Time for Three: Emily — No Prisoner Be

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’ | Davóne Tines and Clay Zeller-Townson: What Is Your Hand in This?

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 4: Political I.V.

Audio

Why does I.V. have such a vast network of parks? Why isn’t I.V. a city? And decades later, how did tragedy bolster support for the Community Services District, according to its founders?

‘Welcome to Isla Vista’ Episode 3: The Near-Then and Now

What has I.V. become post-COVID for student residents? What do landlords say? And what, exactly, does a property management company do?

Arts & Entertainment

Final Festival Act, Full Day of Quality Content

SBIFF By Josef Woodard

SBIFF 2026 closed out on Sunday with Apartheid-themed ‘Laundry’, capping off a full filmic day, including the unique prison doc ‘Alabama Solution’.

Kate Hudson Lights Up the Night at SBIFF Tribute

SBIFF By Leslie Dinaberg

Great American Cultural Heroism, Beyond Chicano Culture

SBIFF By Josef Woodard

Patty Griffin and Taj Mahal Are in Town

Music By Madeline Slogoff

Brill Family Foundation Expands AI Art Endeavors into Collaborative Artist Accelerator

Visual Arts By Alice Dehghanzadeh

More Arts & Entertainment

Food & Drink

Remembering the Ruskeys, California’s Most Adventurous Farmers

Full Belly Files By Matt Kettmann

Jay and Kristen Ruskey, pioneers of growing coffee, caviar limes, and more in California, died together last Sunday.

Drover’s Doughnuts Opens a New Location in Goleta

Food By Alice Dehghanzadeh

Will Santa Barbara County Vintners Benefit When ‘Michelin Guide’ Does Wine?

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann

Travel the Wine World via The Factory’s Portfolio Tastings

Bottles & Barrels By Matt Kettmann

More Food & Drink

Living

Facing ‘Extinction Vortex,’ California Grants New Protections To Some Mountain Lions

Environment By Rachel Becker, CalMatters

State fish and game officials declared mountain lions in the Central Coast and Southern California threatened under the state’s endangered species act.

Jimmy’s Oriental Gardens Nominated for National Register of Historic Places

History By Ryan P. Cruz

Branded Content

From SBCC to NASA

SBCC Alumni Spotlights By Tiana Molony

More Living